on his heels came Manifest,
Bird, Hooker, Peter's Lad, Beltan, and White Legs.

The Baron's horse began slowly, but soon joined up with the rest. The
scarlet jacket was prominent, and as Eve saw it creeping toward the
front, she felt confident the Baron's tip would again come off. She
wondered why she did not feel enthusiastic at the prospect of a good
win. Was it because she would rather have had her money on Bandmaster
and see Alan's colors successful? Perhaps it was; anyhow it was absurd
to wish to see his colors in front when her money was on White Legs.

Manifest shot to the front as they drew level with the lawn, followed
by Bird, and Peter's Lad; with a rush came Scout, an outsider. White
Legs was gaining ground. Right in the center of the course was
Bandmaster, who liked the stiff going and tackled the work like a good
'un, the seven stone gave him every chance.

Alan was anxious to win; the Hunt Cup was a race he often had a shot
at; so far his horses had not run into a place. He had great hopes of
Bandmaster's changing his luck.

Valentine Braund backed Manifest, not a bad pick; Bernard Hallam was on
Bandmaster; so was Ella, and most of Eve Berkeley's party followed the
brown and blue sleeves.

A loud shout greeted the appearance of White Legs in the leading trio,
and Bradley looked so much at ease that all who had backed the horse
were confident; before the distance was reached the scarlet jacket held
the lead, and the Baron's horse appeared to have a mortgage on the race.

Young Colley still had Bandmaster in the center of the track, clear of
the others. He was riding a cool, well-judged race, and had every
confidence in his mount. Yard by yard the horse crept up; his jockey
knew he was gaining at every stride. He measured the distance to the
winning-post with critical eyes and felt certain of victory. From the
stands Bandmaster seemed to be a long way behind the leaders, and Alan
thought his bad luck in the race was to continue. Gradually the sounds
increased until they culminated in a roar as White Legs came on at the
head of the field, followed by Manifest, and Spur, who had come again
in gallant style.

A lull in the shouting for an infinitesimal moment, then a terrific
roar proclaimed Bandmaster was pulling hard.

The brown and blue came along fast, very fast, and there was no sign of
faltering on the part of Bandmaster, who tackled his stiff work in
bull-dog style.

"By gad, he'l